ACCIDENT and Emergency departments have come under the spotlight following the National Audit Office report on long waiting times.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn's response to the damning report was that the problem is primarily one of organisation and management, not lack of resources and staff.

Does he not recollect that the "excuse" given for closing Kidderminster's A and E was the supposed lack of consultant doctors in Worcestershire?

I recall that Worcestershire Health Authority held the view that A and E departments should be managed by specialist consultants who were on duty "around the clock" and that this could not be accomplished in departments in Worcester, Redditch and Kidderminster.

The authority proposed the downgrading of Redditch as well as Kidderminster. Why then has Kidderminster been downgraded while Redditch remains unscathed?

There are not enough A & E consultants to cover services around the clock in both Worcester and Redditch. If Redditch (and probably Worcester) continues to operate with lower-graded doctors at less busy times, then so could Kidderm-inster.

This is how a large proportion of A and E departments operate throughout the country, otherwise, probably at least 30 per cent would have to close.

Professor Brian McCloskey, as county director of public health, should explain why Kidderminster A and E was downgraded while Redditch has remained fully functional.

Perhaps he needs to be reminded that on Page 19 of "Investing in Excellence" it states there should be only one consultant-led A and E department in Worcester-shire.

If Redditch can safely maintain a full A and E department without "round the clock" consultant cover, then so can Kidderminster.

Re-opening Kidderminster A and E would take pressure off Worcester to the benefit of people in both parts of the county.

DEREK ROBERTS

(Retired) Director of Finance of the

former Kidderminster Health Care Trust,

Comberton Road

Kidderminster